How stereotypes are born...

[S2central.net]

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/09032010/36/toyota-prius-driver-uses-police-car-stop-0.html

How in the name of holy good **** did this idiot not just put it in neutral or turn the key off... At an alleged 94mph that must be worlds fastest prius - what a complete tool

[s2_wot]

Sometimes I wish I could get my hands on one of those continuous acceleration toyota pedals and fit it to a tdi passat. Might improve it somewhat. >90mph in a prius, seems optimistic, why couldn't he turn the key off at 90 rather than wait to 50mph?
Shane

[andy10v]

Mind you being the genius that guy evidently is if he had turned of the ignition he would probably have removed the key and locked the steering.

How he could call the cops and not switch it off/get it in neutral.

Interesting that the engine can overpower the brakes.

[Sonic]

Interesting that the engine can overpower the brakes.

Not mine

(although that wasn't at a great deal of speed, probably more than the prius should be capable of though)

[JP]

Give the guy a break, he's obviously not all there as he bought one in the first place

[Ross]

I find this all a bit shocking, expecially reading the tragic death of an entire family at 100mph in the lexus! I mean, how hard is it to shift into neutral or turn the key?? A simultaneus brake failure is the only excuse for an accident due to a 'run away car' IMO.

[S2central.net]

Some people are just so stupid that they shouldn't be allowed to drive. I hadnt heard about the Lexus wreck - that is truly horrendous but surely proves the point that such stupid drivers are not allowed to drive - what an avoidable waste of life.

[urS6Tom]

It's even worse - the family in the Lexus were being driven by an off-duty California Highway Patrol Officer

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6230DJ20100304

[panzerwagen]

You think thats bad? You ain't seen or heard nothing yet!

Check the reports coming out of the States. You would not believe it. Lady this morning slammed into a brick wall across the street from her garage because her Prius just took off on her! The local Toyota regional boss in my area came out & said that Americans are the worst drivers in the world and could not tell a gas pedal from a brake pedal with their foot if their life depended on it!!

[mcandmar]

The problem as i understand it is they have a security fob for the ignition instead of a regular key, and for safety reasons you cant pull it out when driving. Add to the fact they have no fuel cut when braking, and most automatics wont shift out of drive when on the move you can start to understand why this really is a problem.

I also heard Toyota announced all future vehicles will have a tweaked ecu to cut fuel supply when braking, i.e. to stop the runaway scenarios. But why they run away in the first place is the real question?

The "Unintended Acceleration" almost killed Audi in the US back in the 80's, its surprising Toyota have let this become the PR disaster it is. Obviously nothing was learnt. Audi went overkill with the cruise control on later cars, an S2 has a mechanical and electrical cut off switch on both the clutch and brake pedals. Just to be sure to be sure. All else fails you can pull the key out.

[goodall]

The "Unintended Acceleration" almost killed Audi in the US back in the 80's, its surprising Toyota have let this become the PR disaster it is. Obviously nothing was learnt. Audi went overkill with the cruise control on later cars, an S2 has a mechanical and electrical cut off switch on both the clutch and brake pedals. Just to be sure to be sure. All else fails you can pull the key out.

Was it not because clubfooted Americans keep pressing the throttle as the pedals where to close together in comparison to lardy American cars...

[s2_wot]

I find this all a bit shocking, expecially reading the tragic death of an entire family at 100mph in the lexus! I mean, how hard is it to shift into neutral or turn the key?? A simultaneus brake failure is the only excuse for an accident due to a 'run away car' IMO.

Is the day going to come when they have to put an emergency stop button on cars, like on big machinery with a "kill switch"; the purpose that the original old fashioned key was designed to serve.

[Gazjen]

I was thinking about this on the way home this morning, I can't actually switch my engine off while the car is in motion it has a start button and locks the "key" in. I would just put it in neutral if the throttle stuck but what if it's an auto?

As said in a previous post I think a Emergency stop would be a good idea especially with modern cars that are too clever for there own good

[90/90qs]

Jeesh, you guys are harsh on us . That said, I believe the Prius does have a push-button ignition, but I have never been in a DOT approved vehicle that couldn't be shifted into neutral while at any speed. If fact, for that particular shift you don't even have to press the lock-out button; just move the lever, with your forehead if necessary!

[eMTea]

I've driven a Prius as a rental car here in Norway, and yes, they have push button for ignition, and the shifting is done by an electrical joystick. Only 3 pos, D, N, R, (+B = Battery break/charging downhill)
This is for the Hybrid cars, I don't know if the Prius comes as regualar petrol engine?